προφητικός

prophētikós

G4397 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Pertaining to a prophet or to prophecy, especially to inspired speech or communication perceived as coming from a divine source. The primary sense designates something related to the function, activity, or content associated with prophets—either their utterances, writings, or signs attributed to their role. In extended usage, may describe writings, sayings, persons, or phenomena characterized by or associated with prophetic inspiration or authority.

Semantic Range

pertaining to a prophet, related to prophecy, characteristic of prophetic speech or activity, associated with the writings attributed to prophets, inspired by prophetic revelation

Root / Etymology

Adjectival form derived from προφήτης ('prophet'), formed with the suffix -ικός, which denotes 'pertaining to' or 'characteristic of.' Root ultimately linked to προφημί ('to speak before, to speak forth').

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used in Hellenistic and Roman era Greek to describe persons or things associated with prophecy or prophetic activity. In the Septuagint, the term rarely appears, but the concept is central in describing literature or acts attributed to Israelite or Judean prophets. In the New Testament (e.g., Romans 16:26, 2 Peter 1:19), it refers to the writings or utterances that are considered to have prophetic authority or origin—often pointing to texts now called the 'Prophets' in the broader Israelite/Judean Scriptures. While English translations often render it as 'prophetic,' the term's scope extends to anything characteristically associated with prophets, not just foretelling future events. This includes interpretive, admonitory, and revelatory communication. The suffix -ικός marks it as an adjective of association, parallel to forms such as ἀποστολικός ('apostolic'). The word distinguishes between general religious or philosophical statements (e.g., σοφία, 'wisdom') and those seen as originating from a recognized inspired spokesperson (προφήτης). The term does not itself imply canonicity or authority outside of context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from προφήτης; pertaining to a foreteller ("prophetic"):--of prophecy, of the prophets.

Root Family

προφητικός (prophētikos) — prophet, prophecy, proclamation

Root προφήτ- prophet, prophecy, proclamation

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4397-01 προφητικῶν prophetikon ADJ.A GEN F PL prophetic of prophetic of prophetic 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4397-01 Romans 16:26 προφητικῶν prophetikon ADJ.A GEN F PL prophetic of prophetic of prophetic
G4397-01 2 Peter 1:19 προφητικὸν prophetikon ADJ.A ACC M SG prophetic of prophetic prophetic